The school uniform is a mandatory attribute of almost every prestigious British school. In fact, uniforms are compulsory in over 90% of schools in England.
The introduction of the school uniform in modern Britain is justified by the fact that representatives of the Ministry of Education believe that a uniform style of school students helps to maintain discipline, and also affects the positive behavior of students. It fosters school wear. In addition, the school uniform blurs the line between students of all races and classes. Parents also find that wearing a uniform helps children fit into school and adapt faster. And in 2017, a study was carried out, which confirmed that a school uniform creates a more favorable atmosphere within the team, as children in uniform are less inclined to bull each other.
For the first time, a school uniform in Great Britain appeared during the reign of King Henry VIII (1509 – 1547). In those days, the uniform was blue, since it was believed that blue should teach children to be humble, and the fabric of this color was the cheapest.
In modern England, each school has its own uniform, in addition, school symbols are widely used. Each school decides on its own about the school uniform and the appearance of the students. However, the educational institution must not discriminate against a child on the basis of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation or belief.
It is also worth noting that uniforms play a valuable role in fostering a school spirit and a sense of belonging. A comfortable, high-quality form is an important part of building a successful educational culture.
School uniform elements
In most cases, the everyday school uniform consists of the following elements:
- formal jacket, blazer or sweater with the logo of the educational institution;
- a shirt that matches the color of the school uniform;
- strict tie (for both girls and guys);
- formal trousers for guys, long and strict skirts for girls (in some schools, girls may wear trousers);
- black shoes for guys, shoes with a small heel for girls.